JP2008073005A - Pasturage system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pasturage system dispensing with the installation of a physical pasture fence, enabling the adoption of various means for inducing a fence-avoiding action and reducing labor cost and maintenance cost. <P>SOLUTION: The pasturage system is provided with a pasturage area setting means to set a virtual pasturage area encircled by a virtual pasture fence on a prescribed position of ground, a fence approach detection means to detect the approach of cattle pastured in the virtual pasturage area to the virtual fence, and a stimulation means to apply stimulation for avoiding the passage through the fence to the cattle upon detecting the approach of the cattle to the fence. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a grazing system in which livestock such as cattle, horses, sheep, goats and the like are enclosed in a predetermined grazing region and the grass or weeds in the region are fed to the livestock.

Conventionally, when grazing livestock in pastures, etc., it is common to form grazing areas with physically strong fences made of wire mesh, wood, concrete, etc., and to release livestock in the grazing areas (For example, refer nonpatent literature 1). Recently, cheap and movable electric fences are used as pasture fences. Attempts have been made to enclose abandoned cultivated land and riverbeds with these pasture fences to graze, and feed the weeds in the area to cattle to achieve both environmental beautification and fattening. In this case, it is common to graze using the above-mentioned electric fence because of its simplicity.
Yoshiharu Hosokawa “Recent Past Fence” Livestock Technology May 2005, No. 30-36

  However, even though electric fences are easy to use, there is no change in creating a physical grazing area manually using this ranch fence, which requires significant labor costs. In addition, it is difficult to produce an arbitrarily shaped pasture fence suitable for topography such as riverbeds and slopes, and there are also disadvantages such as leakage and electric shock, and there is a problem that maintenance management costs are high.

  Furthermore, in the method using the electric fence described above, the means for preventing livestock from breaking through the fence (derailment) is limited to one method in which the livestock touches the fence and gets an electric shock. It is extremely difficult to adopt.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional situation, and it is possible to eliminate the need for physical pasture fences and to adopt various means for causing fence avoidance behavior. Labor costs and maintenance management costs The problem is to provide a grazing system that can reduce the amount of rice.

  The invention of claim 1 is a grazing area setting means for setting a virtual grazing area surrounded by a virtual grazing fence at a predetermined position on the ground, and a livestock released in the virtual grazing area close to the virtual grazing fence. A grazing system comprising: a fence proximity detecting means for detecting the presence of a fence; and a stimulus applying means for giving a stimulus to the livestock to avoid a derailment when the fence proximity is detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the fence proximity detecting means is attached to the livestock, and the current position of the livestock is determined by GPS (Global positioning).
A position detector for detecting by the system information, and the livestock becomes a virtual fence based on the current position information of the livestock detected by the position detector and the fence information indicating the position and shape of the virtual fence. It is characterized by being judged to be close. Note that the GPS of the present invention includes systems such as D-GPS, RTK-GPS, and VRS-DGPS with high position detection accuracy.

  The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the virtual grazing region is surrounded by a plurality of virtual pasture fences.

  The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in claim 3, the stimulus applying means strengthens the stimulus when the livestock is close to the outer virtual pasture than the stimulus when the livestock is close to the inner virtual pasture. Yes.

  The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the stimulus applying means is configured to give an odor to the domestic animal when the proximity of the fence of the domestic animal is detected. It is said.

  The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the stimulus applying means is configured to give a thermal stimulus to the livestock when the approach of the livestock to the fence is detected. It is said.

  The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the stimulus applying means is configured to apply electrical stimulation to the livestock when the proximity of the livestock to the fence is detected. It is said.

  The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in any one of claims 1 to 4, the stimulus applying means is configured to block the view of the livestock when the proximity of the livestock fence is detected. It is said.

  According to the grazing system according to the present invention, when the livestock released in the virtual grazing area surrounded by the virtual grazing fence is close to the virtual grazing fence, the livestock is stimulated to avoid the derailment, Livestock can be kept in a grazing area surrounded by a virtual pasture that does not exist physically. In this case, as shown in claims 3 and 4, the virtual grazing region is surrounded by a plurality of virtual pasture fences, and the livestock is closer to the outer virtual pasture fence than the stimulus when the livestock approaches the inner virtual pasture fence. By strengthening the stimulus at times, livestock can be kept in the virtual grazing area even more reliably.

  Further, in the present invention, since a physical pasture fence is not required, an arbitrary shape can be easily manufactured, and it is also easy to set multiple virtual pastures. Therefore, a grazing region having a desired shape can be set even on sloping land such as a riverbed or a ski resort, or on a muddy land.

  In addition, as for the detection of the derailment behavior of the livestock, for example, as in the invention of claim 2, the current position of the livestock is detected using GPS information by the position detector attached to the livestock, and the current position of the livestock is detected. Based on the information and the fence position information of the virtual pastoral fence, it can be detected that the livestock has approached the fence, and it is possible to easily and easily detect the derailment behavior of the livestock at low cost.

  Moreover, about the method of giving the stimulus for avoiding the derailment action to the livestock, various means such as deodorization, thermal stimulation, electrical stimulation or blocking of the visual field can be adopted as described in claims 5-8. Yes, the most suitable one can be selected according to various conditions such as the type and characteristics of livestock and the topography of the grazing area.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 are views for explaining a grazing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a virtual grazing area set on a riverbed, for example, and the virtual grazing area 1 is an area surrounded by a virtual grazing fence 2 that does not physically exist. The virtual pastoral fence 2 of the present embodiment is a quadruple fence of first to fourth pastoral fences 2a to 2d. A plurality of cows 3 are released in the virtual grazing area 1.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 4 denotes a control unit. The control unit 4 functions as a grazing area setting means for setting the virtual grazing area 1 at a predetermined position using the virtual grazing fence 2, and the virtual grazing area 1 It functions as a fence proximity detecting means for detecting that the cow 3 released inside approaches the virtual pastoral fence 2. Further, the control unit 4 also functions as a stimulus applying means for giving the cow 3 a stimulus for avoiding escape from the fence (derailing) when the proximity of the cow 3 to the fence is detected.

  Specifically, a position detector 5 that constitutes a part of the fence proximity detection means is attached to the cow 3. The position detector 5 is configured to detect the current position (latitude, longitude) of the cow 3 based on GPS information, and the current position information of the cow 3 by the position detector 5 is the control unit 4. Is input wirelessly.

  The control unit 4 includes fence information regarding the shapes and positions (latitude and longitude) of the first to fourth pasture fences 2a to 2d, and the current of the cow 3 detected by the position detector 5 is provided. When the position information and the fence information indicating the virtual pastoral fence 2 coincide with each other with a predetermined accuracy, it is determined that the cow 3 is approaching the virtual pastoral fence 2 and is taking an action expected to escape from the fence.

  Further, the cattle 3 is equipped with a stimulus generator 6 that constitutes a part of the stimulus applying means for avoiding the above-mentioned derailment. The stimulus generator 6 has a nose ring shape, for example, and is passed through the nose of the cow 3. When detecting the proximity of the fence, the control unit 4 wirelessly outputs a stimulus application signal to the stimulus generator 6. When a stimulus application signal from the control unit 4 is input, the stimulus generator 6 generates an electrical stimulus corresponding to the content of the signal. Here, the electrical stimulation is about 3 to 9 kv and about 200 mmA, and the cow 3 is controlled to become stronger as it goes from the first pasture fence 2a to the fourth pasture fence 2d.

  In this embodiment, when the cow 3 released in the virtual grazing area 1 surrounded by the virtual pasture fence 2 comes close to the virtual pasture fence 2, the cattle 3 is given electrical stimulation for avoiding escape from the fence. . It has already been demonstrated in the electric fence that the cow 3 instinctively stops progressing and tries to return in the opposite direction when receiving the electrical stimulation while moving forward.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the cow 3 can be kept in the grazing area 1 surrounded by the virtual pastoral fence 2 that does not physically exist. Furthermore, since the above-described electrical stimulation is strengthened as the virtual pastoral fence 2 is multiplexed and the virtual pastoral fence 2a is advanced from the inner virtual pastoral fence 2a to the outer virtual pastoral fence 2d side, the cow 3 is more reliably placed in the virtual grazing region 1 Can be kept on. Of course, it is possible to set the stimuli in the plurality of fences to the same strength, and even in this case, the cattle 3 is given a plurality of stimuli. Can be kept inside.

  In addition, the virtual grazing area 1 of the present embodiment is an area surrounded by the virtual grazing fence 2 that does not physically exist and is virtually set. Manufacturing labor costs and maintenance management costs can be significantly reduced.

  Furthermore, since the virtual grazing area 1 of the present embodiment is composed of the virtual grazing fence 2 that does not physically exist, it is possible to easily create a virtual grazing area of any shape, and it is also easy to set multiple fences It is. Accordingly, a grazing region having a desired shape can be easily set even on sloping land such as a riverbed or a ski resort, or on a muddy land.

  As for detection of the escape behavior of the cow 3 outside the fence, the current position of the cow 3 is detected using the GPS information by the position detector 5 attached to the cow 3, and the current position information of the cow 3 and virtual When the fence information of the pastoral fence 2 matches, it is determined that the livestock has approached the fence, so that the proximity of the cow 3 to the fence can be detected easily and reliably at low cost.

  In the above embodiment, an electrical stimulus is applied as a stimulus for causing the cow 3 to avoid escape from the fence, but the stimulus in the present invention is not limited to the above. For example, it is possible to employ various types of devices such as odor, heat, and view blocking.

  When giving the odor, for example, an odor eliminating agent is put in a container with an electric heating device, and the container is hung on the nose of a livestock. When the escape behavior of the livestock is detected, the heating device is turned on by a stimulus application signal from the control unit 4 to generate an odor. On the other hand, when the livestock returns to the virtual grazing area, the heating device is turned off, and the odor emission is suppressed.

  When applying thermal stimulation, for example, an electric heater is attached to a portion sensitive to the heat of livestock, and when the escape behavior of the livestock is detected, the heater is turned on to generate heat. On the other hand, when the livestock returns to the virtual grazing area, the heater is turned off to suppress heat generation. In this case, similarly to the above embodiment, the output may be controlled to increase as it goes from the inner virtual fence to the outer virtual fence.

  In the case of the method of blocking the view of livestock, for example, a liquid crystal-driven light shielding film is attached at a position where the view of livestock can be blocked. Switch the film to a light-shielded state. Also in this case, as in the above embodiment, the light shielding level may be increased from the inside virtual fence to the outside virtual fence.

  Moreover, it is possible to use a combination of the various stimulus generation methods described above, and it is also possible to use different stimulus generation methods for each of the multiple fences.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the virtual grazing area | region of the grazing system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block block diagram which shows the said grazing system typically.

Explanation of symbols

1 Virtual Grazing Area 2 Virtual Grazing Fence 3 Cattle (Livestock)
4 Control unit (grazing area setting means, fence proximity detection means, stimulus application means)
5 Position detector 6 Stimulus generator

Claims (8)

Grazing area setting means for setting the virtual grazing area surrounded by the virtual grazing fence to a predetermined position on the ground, and a fence for detecting that the livestock released in the virtual grazing area is close to the virtual grazing fence A grazing system, comprising: proximity detection means; and stimulus application means for applying a stimulus to the livestock to avoid unfence when fence proximity is detected. In Claim 1, the fence proximity detection means includes a position detector that is attached to the livestock and detects the current position of the livestock using GPS information, and the current position information of the livestock detected by the position detector; A grazing system, wherein the livestock is determined to be close to the virtual pasture based on the fence information indicating the position and shape of the virtual pasture. The grazing system according to claim 1, wherein the virtual grazing area is surrounded by a plurality of virtual grazing fences. 4. The grazing system according to claim 3, wherein the stimulus applying means strengthens the stimulus when the livestock approaches the outer virtual pasture fence than the stimulus when the livestock approaches the inner virtual pasture fence. The grazing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stimulus applying means is configured to give an odor to the livestock when the proximity of the livestock to the fence is detected. The grazing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stimulus applying means is configured to give a thermal stimulus to the livestock when the approach of the livestock to the fence is detected. The grazing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stimulus applying means is configured to apply an electrical stimulus to the livestock when the approach of the livestock to the fence is detected. The grazing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stimulus applying means is configured to block the field of view of the livestock when proximity of the livestock is detected.

Images